Being a Donald Trump supporter in Silicon Valley was never easy. In 2019 after the president announced his reelection bid, Justin Aguilera, a 33-year-old GOP candidate for Congress, told San José Spotlight many conservatives in the South Bay were scared to express their political views publicly for fear of social shunning and professional retaliation. To...
New South African COVID-19 variant found in Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County health officials Wednesday said two cases of a new South African COVID-19 variant have been identified in Santa Clara and Alameda counties — the first in California. So far, one case has been identified in each county, respectively. This is at least the second new strain health officials have identified in Santa...
Santa Clara County poised to give small businesses a break on fees
Small businesses in Santa Clara County can likely expect to get a break on permitting fees in the latest effort to give a boost to the local economy. Supervisors Tuesday voted unanimously to take the first step to temporarily cancel a host of fees on small businesses, including restaurants, swimming pools and body art salons....
Silicon Valley lawmakers approve plans for distributing rent relief funds
Renters make up nearly half of the Bay Area’s largest city, and many face an eviction time bomb after eviction bans end and back rent is due, prompting Silicon Valley lawmakers Tuesday to take steps to protect the most vulnerable tenants. Lawmakers at the city and county level approved a “hybrid” plan to distribute millions...
Rent relief on its way to Silicon Valley — eventually and for select few
San Jose and Santa Clara County are preparing to decide how to spend more than $117 million in federal rent subsidies. That’s probably not enough to cover everything tenants owe their landlords since the beginning of the pandemic. And it hasn’t been decided exactly who will be allowed to collect their fair share of the...
Half of Santa Clara County sheriff’s employees have declined COVID-19 vaccines
Nearly half the employees at the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office have turned down a COVID-19 vaccine. According to a report presented Thursday, nearly 800 employees have refused or delayed getting vaccinated — out of 1,800 total employees. That includes both sworn and civilian staff. The reasons for turning down the vaccine include hesitancy, pregnancy...
New policy allows seniors to get COVID-19 vaccinations anywhere in Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County’s public health officials now say anyone 65 and older can get their vaccine from anywhere in the county. The county’s new “no wrong door” policy, announced Thursday morning, makes it possible for seniors to get vaccinated regardless of who their normal medical provider is. “A Kaiser patient can go to the county,...
Bay Area health leaders urge prioritizing people 65+ for COVID-19 vaccine
Amid statewide COVID-19 vaccine shortages, health officials in eight Bay Area counties are recommending that all health care systems prioritize shots for patients 65 and over. Those aged 65 and over account for the majority of COVID-19 deaths — 81% of deaths in Santa Clara County. The announcement comes as the Bay Area faces a...
Santa Clara County could issue $10,000 fine for ‘interference’ in public meetings
If you try to stop someone from speaking at the county’s Board of Supervisors meeting, you might be fined $10,000. Santa Clara County supervisors are considering a plan to levy a $10,000 fine against anyone who might threaten, intimidate or use violence to prevent someone from participating in a public decision-making process. The ordinance would...
Santa Clara County’s long-awaited sustainability plan prioritizes economy, environment and equity
Santa Clara County is doubling down on addressing climate change as an emergency, rather than a far-off threat. At its last meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved the county’s master plan for sustainability, which has been about five years in the making. The plan commits to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, electrifying more buildings and planting...